Security forces have uncovered a plot by insurgents to infiltrate the nation’s capital, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, using tinted vehicles and covered plate numbers.
It was gathered that the joint security task force, comprising the military, police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and intelligence agencies, however, has intensified patrols and surveillance in and around Abuja.
Investigation also revealed that the meetings of the joint security task force under the office of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, continued at the weekend.
Although, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has debunked reports that the nation’s capital was under terror attack but horses, motorcycles and other detection tools would be deployed for intelligence gathering in the Federal Capital Authority (FCT), police authorities said on Sunday.
A statement by the command said while security forces sustained pre-emptive measures against any eventuality, the reported attack on FCT was a clash of cultists in Mpape, an outskirt of Abuja and not an attack by terrorists.
“The joint security team of the FCT wishes to refute the mischievous publication targeted at creating palpable tension amongst the well-spirited residents of the FCT.
“Contrary to the speculation, the Heads of Security Agencies (HOSA) in the Federal Capital Territory in bid to address security concerns within the FCT held a strategic meeting on Thursday, April 29, 2021, where the team resolved to deploy alternative proactive crime-fighting measures within the FCT particularly in areas with challenging terrain including aggressive motorized/foot patrols.
“However, the patrols will be conducted in line with the peculiarities of every terrain within the territory. In other words, the team has adopted the use of motorcycles, horses and other technical means of gathering intelligence to checkmate criminality within the FCT.
“In view of the above, the joint security team chaired by the Commissioner of Police, CP Bala Ciroma enjoins residents to remain calm, law-abiding and verify the information before circulating such information to avoid creating panic amongst members of the public,” the statement said.
However security agents uncovered an unusual number of unauthorised tinted vehicles with covered plate numbers within the city centre, though there are certain categories of political officeholders and security chiefs allowed to use tinted vehicles and covered plate numbers but permits are also granted to some citizens after an application is granted.
The FCT Police Command had last week launched an operation against the use of unauthorised covered number plates and tinted vehicles. It said the operation had become “extremely necessary due to the recent security threat analysis conducted by the joint (security) team reveals that criminal syndicates now execute their nefarious activities using tinted vehicles with covered number plates.”
The command warned those using unauthorised covered number plates and tinted vehicles within the FCT to desist as violators would be arrested and prosecuted.
Also, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command at the weekend debunked reports that the seat of power was under attack.
It said a cult clash in Mpape, an outskirt of Abuja, was misconstrued as an attack by terrorists.
It said in the statement by its spokesperson, Mariam Yusuf, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, that there was no such attack on FCT.
It said heads of security agencies had reassured residents of their safety.
“The attention of the FCT Joint Security Team has been drawn to a viral publication in social media purporting that the ‘Federal Capital Territory is under attack by Boko Haram Terrorists.
“The Joint Security Team of the FCT wishes to refute the mischievous publication targeted at creating palpable tension amongst the well-spirited residents of the FCT,” it added.
The command said “contrary to the speculation, the Heads of Security Agencies (HOSA) in the Federal Capital Territory in the bid to address security concerns within the FCT, held a strategic meeting on Thursday, April 29, 2021, where the team resolved to deploy alternative proactive crime-fighting measures within the FCT particularly in areas with challenging terrain, including aggressive motorised/foot patrols.
“However, the patrols will be conducted in line with the peculiarities of every terrain within the territory. In other words, the team has adopted the use of motorcycles, horses and other technical means of gathering intelligence to checkmate criminality within the Federal Capital Territory,” it stated.
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State had on Monday last week raised the alarm over the safety of Abuja.
Bello made the appalling revelation in Minna when he visited 5,000 internally displaced persons from Shiroro and Munya Local Government Areas at the IBB Primary School near the palace of the emir of Minna.
“I am confirming that there are Boko Haram elements here in Niger State, here in Kaure, I am confirming that they have hoisted their flags here.
“This is what I have been engaging the federal government on, unfortunately, it has now got to this level. If care is not taken, even Abuja is not safe.”
Bello claimed that the Boko Haram elements were trying to use some locations in Niger as their home just as they did in Sambisa.
According to him, “Sambisa is several kilometres from Abuja but Kaure is just two hours’ drive from Abuja. So nobody is safe anymore, not even those in Abuja.”
